Patent Application
20070294633
One embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention is shown in
The perimeter wall 103 comprises a number of user interface elements 110, 111, 112. In one embodiment these could include one or more ports 110 (e.g. a USB port) to allow physical connection to one or more electronic devices (including a port for receiving power to charge the rechargeable power supply (not shown) of the device 100), a window 111 for allowing the transmission of short range radio-transmissions to permit non-physical connection to a peripheral device (e.g. via Bluetooth™) over the air interface, and volume buttons 112.
In another embodiment, user interface element 110 is a speaker, 111 is a camera shutter key (camera window located on the reverse of device 100 is not shown), 113 is an imaging mode key providing a shortcut to the camera function (for example, moving the camera into an active state from an idle state and/or providing image options (view previous stored still/video images, take still/video image) for user selection), and 112 is a volume/zoom key.
The front face 101 comprises a number of user interface regions 130, 125 (not shown) and 120 placed adjacent to one another to extend from the base of the device 100 towards the top of the device 100 (along the longitudinal axis of the device 100). So, user interface region 130 is positioned towards the base of the device 100. Next to this region 130 is user interface region 125 (in the configuration of
In the embodiment of
In this embodiment, user interface region 130 is useable when make telephone calls, user interface region 125 is useable when writing emails/text messages and user interface region 120 is useable in both functional modes.
The cover 150 is arranged to be slideable along the longitudinal axis of the device 100 to cover one or more regions of the front face 101. In the present case, the cover 150 has two positions, the first overlying the user interface region 130 and the second overlying the user interface 125. The cover positions are detent positions which give the user the feeling that the cover 150 has positively reached a particular position associated with a particular function (and is not just at an intermediate position).
The size of the cover 150 is sufficient to cover user interface region 130 when in a first cover position without overlying user interface region 125, and to cover user interface region 125 when in the second cover position without overlying user interface region 130.
The cover 150 may have a third position where it overlies a lower region of the display 120 (or in another embodiment completely overlies the display 120). In one embodiment (not shown), the cover 150 may be arranged to extend around the lateral perimeter wall 103 to cover one or more of the user interface elements 110-112.
In the embodiment of
In one particular embodiment, movement of the cover 150 to cover user interface region 130 reveals the QWERTY keypad 125. This movement of the cover automatically moves the device 100 into an email/SMS mode in which the user is able to perform one or more email/SMS functions, such as compose an email/SMS. Movement of the cover 150 over the QWERTY keypad 125 automatically moves the device into a base mode in which the user is able to use the telephony functionality of the device 100. The user may also be able to use one or more of the device functions in this base mode (e.g. play audio).
In one embodiment, movement of the cover 150 to overlie the user interface region 130 may reveal a larger display 120 and automatically move the device 100 into a camera mode in which the user is able to capture one or more images.
In another embodiment, movement of the cover 150 to overlie the user interface region 130 may reveal a larger display 120 and automatically move the device 100 into a viewing mode in which the user is able to view one or more previously captured or received images.
The functional mode associated with the cover positions may be different according to the function currently being performed. For example, when making/receiving a telephone call, the movement of the cover to reveal a larger display may initiate video calling. On receipt of email with an attachment, movement to reveal a larger display may provide a larger display with which a user can view the attachment (which may be an image or a large text document). The user may be automatically given the option of opening the attachment and/or the email/SMS upon movement of the cover 150 to a particular position (which may be a position which provides a larger display).
The device 100 may be arranged such that the user interface region 130, 125, 120 change their appearance/functionality according to the position of the cover 150. For example, moving the cover 150 to reveal only the bottom row of user interface region 130 changes the user input functionality of the three key regions on the bottom from *0 # to gaming key regions, such as “shoot”, “duck” and “hide” in one particular gaming application. In such embodiment, the user interface regions could be touch sensitive displays which can allow a user to provide input and also change the content of what is displayed to indicate that a different input function is being provided. In another embodiment, the three key regions (*0 #) on the bottom row could become a different number of key regions other than three (e.g. two or four key regions) when only the bottom row is revealed. Thus, the key regions do not have to provide a constant number of input regions in each of the cover positions.
It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, when the cover 150 reveals a large display 120, the device 100 could be triggered to enter a TV viewing mode and/or to show other video images (or still images) which may or may not be pre-recorded on the device (or pre-recorded on a removable memory e.g. memory card).
The device 100 of
One or more aspects, embodiments and/or features of one or more aspects and/or embodiments in isolation and in all various combinations are within the present disclosure whether or not specifically mentioned in isolation or in that combination. Corresponding means for performing the various functions are within the present disclosure.
While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. Furthermore, in the claims means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.
